Well, we returned more than a week ago, but I have been busy dealing with backlog of work which inevitably piles up when you go away, and though it was a working "away" ... we had such a lovely time at Pour l'amour du fil that we began to think of it as a holiday ... anyway, who wants to be lying around in the sunshine with nothing to do? Better by far to meet many new, and like minded friends and see many inspiring things coming home full of ideas and ready for a refreshed start!
Mind you it was a bumpy start .. my old banger failed it's MOT three days before we had to leave and there was a panic until we found another old banger to torture with a 6 hours drive there and back ... but we did it! What a relief to be on the ferry finally and on our way from Dover to Calais.
And France was glorious on the journey down, clothing itself slowly in green the further down we drove ... arriving late in Nantes with nowhere to eat left open but MacDonald's ... oh dear the less said the better. Still we were comforted by the prospect of better eating over the next few days.
Now I am not going to bore you with a blow by blow account of the show, though I might talk about some highlights in detail as I go ... but I think I will make it a visual account mostly, and also a contact library of the artists and craftsmen who were there. Needless to say Nantes is a beautiful city on the Loire, it's cathedral a splendour to behold restored immaculately after a fire nearly destroyed it in 1970s ... oh and there may have to be some plates of food ... sorry, just this once.
We will definitely go again next year if we are asked to, so make it a date too and you will not be disappointed for sure!
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| Our stand at Pour l'amour du fil |
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| Samples of Cake and Lovebirds made into a cushion |
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| My class of lovely ladies from the second workshop |
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| All the lovely little 'things they had, made from scraps, needle cases, scissor ... things, little bags for thread .... so different! Also see the embroidered espadrille worked on by Milo my indispensable interpreter! And what a great idea! You made it all very relaxed Milo Thank you! |
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| We learnt some stitches then applied them to Birdie 2 |
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| The wonderful Cecile Franconie a huge inspiration for many people and it was amazing to meet her and see her work. |
Some of my new friends and neighbours from the show.
1. Elfie Tricot and wonderful animals (3) and also her beautiful little old dog (4)who was curled up under the table ....
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Rachel John with her enormous luxurious knitting ... managed to stay cool. Our chum for the week!
5. Margaret, the first English voice to greet us from
Fabric Affair click to find out more as they exhibit their lovely kits all over England too.
1. I have bought a needle punch hoop and needle and just now need time to DO! But so inspired by this stand
Lo Spazio del Cuore
4. Incredible sashiko kits by
Sashiko-ya, who we talked to more at the BANQUETTE! Really want to have a go at this1
stand and some of my fellow exhibitors and visitors ...
1. Beautiful Fabrics and wooden stamps at
Neelam
2. Fabulous collections of buttons and craft kits from
Atelier bon Heur du Jour
3. Beautiful Fabrics and wooden stamps at
Neelam
4. I bought an antique spindle from this lovely stand but failed to take a card. I could have bought many treasures here but I think
THIS is the place to go!
The stand I kept going back to, which made me want to make quilts again was
Dutch Heritage, Den Haan Wagenmakers The examples were delicious and the fabrics too beautiful.
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| Irene Blanks quilts are extraordinary see HERE for more |
Another stand which kept drawing me back was Le Comptoir des Fluerettes. Everything you need to make your own individual jewelery by stitching the metal plates (above) embroidering felt balls etc etc ... see their FB page by clicking on their name above ... yes I bought some and will post the results. Also look here
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Quilts by the stars ... Tomie Nagano
An inspiring display of antique quilts from Bill Volckening
More from around the show ...
More from Tomie Nagano
The FEAST! Mountains of oysters and prawns, salads and meats, pate, local cheeses, desserts to die for, wine, coffee ...
Here I am with Rachel John and the lovely couple from Sashiko-ya enjoying the INCREDIBLEY generous banquette which the organizers laid on for the exhibitors ... it was delicious and unexpected! THANK YOU!
And finally ... some tarte from a French service station ... yes! No burger and chips to be found.
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